Blue Montipora
Blue montipora, sometimes called German Blue Polyp Coral, is a striking multi-branching coral with distinctive, bright features. It is a small polyp stony coral (SPS), like all other montipora corals. Its bright blue polyps are what give this exotic coral its signature name. When illuminated in a reef aquarium tank, the blue polyps look electric and shine brightly. The finger/branch extensions of the coral have lighter, almost white tips. The blue montipora is a part of the Acropoidae family of corals.
Blue Montipora Appearance
The blue montipora has similar shape as montipora digitata corals, like the orange montipora, which also have branch/finger extensions growing from the base of the coral. There are variations of the blue montipora; some varieties are blue with bright green polyps or blue with red/purple polyps. Regardless of the color, the variations of blue montiporas are known for their bright color that is responsive to light.
Blue Montipora Growth
This montipora variation is a fast grower, and can live well among other similar peaceful corals. Due to its branching feature, placement should be considered when putting a blue montipora into a tank. Even just a fragment can grow rapidly into a full coral. As an aquacultured fragment, the blue montipora is an easy SPS coral to take care of and include in your coral reef environment.
Blue Montipora Lighting
The blue montipora needs medium lighting in the reef tank environment. It will respond well to most reef aquarium lighting options like the fluorescents, power compacts, VHO, T5s and metal halide lights. At a minimum, the blue montipora needs three watts of light per gallon of water. With proper positioning, the aquarium lights can magnify the blue montiporas distinctive bright blue polyps.
Blue Montipora Water Movement
Water movement is critical for any type of live coral in a reef aquarium and the blue montipora is no different. A sturdy coral, the blue montipora needs medium water flow to replicate its natural habitat of shallow ocean waters. Some reef aquarium tanks can be bought equipped with water movement systems intact and ready to use. But, tank owners can buy pumps and overflow systems to achieve the proper water flow needed for montiporas.
Blue Montipora In The Reef Aquarium
Since they are mostly sold as fragments, the blue montipora can be affixed to a live rock in anywhere in an aquarium. They are known to grow quickly under the right light and water conditions. They should be kept in water that is warm, at 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit with a pH level of 8.1-8.4. The dkH of the tank should be 8-12 for the blue montipora. Additionally, reef aquariums with blue montipora should have added calcium, strontium and trace elements. Blue montiporas health and growth can also be encouraged through weekly feedings of micro-plankton or foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates.
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